Our Mission
To provide our youth with a special place that will, amidst the joy of sport, encourage learning, pursuit of excellence, fair play, and respect for all.
Our Vision
To provide an environment that inspires and promotes a healthy lifestyle through diverse, quality opportunities, with special emphasis on youth sports activities to enrich mind, body and spirit, while enhancing lifelong learning.
Our Values in Action
These 8 values were adopted by our facility the day we opened the doors. It is important to us that kids have a great time within our facility, but at the end of the day it comes down to person you are. If you are able to grasp a little bit of each value that means a lot more then how many goals you scored your peewee season.
Integrity
Bendtec
Commitment
Minnesota Power
Hard Work
Available to Partner
Teamwork
Altec Industries
Sportsmanship
Honor
The Jamar Company
Courage
United Piping
Dedication
Maurices
A Community Center Brought to Life
The Essentia Duluth Heritage Sports Center was born out of a community’s resilience and passion for sports. After the loss of Peterson Arena to a fire in 2004, the need for a new facility became clear. What began as a replacement project quickly evolved into something much greater—a state-of-the-art, multipurpose sports complex that would become a cornerstone of Duluth’s community life.
The center honors the region's deep-rooted hockey heritage while providing diverse opportunities for youth development, recreation, and lifelong learning. Since its opening, the Essentia Duluth Heritage Sports Center has been a symbol of unity, progress, and the enduring spirit of sportsmanship in the community.
Foundation Board
This board is composed of mission-driven dreamers and thinkers who are committed to ensuring the vision of the Heritage Center stays true. Their dedication to the center's mission reflects a shared belief in the power of sports to inspire and uplift, making the board an essential force behind the success and impact of the center.
Pat Francisco
Chair
Shannon Cornelius
Vice Chair
Terry Scott
Officer and Treasurer
Matt Harrold
Trustee
Jerry DeMeo
Trustee
Dan Russell
Trustee
Chris McMahon
Trustee
Jeff Stark
Trustee
Ray Peterson
Secretary
Craig Fellman
Trustee
Becky McCall
Trustee
Deb Messer
Trustee
Jon Aamodt
Trustee
Center Board
This board is the backbone that ensures the facility's financial stability and smooth daily operations. Comprising dedicated individuals with expertise in finance and management, this board oversees funds, manages resources, and ensures that the center remains a thriving community asset.
Matt Cochran
President
Sarah Schipper
Vice President
Joe Scott
Officer and Treasurer
John DeCaro
Officer
Jerry DeMeo
Officer
Todd Johnson
Officer
Fritz Wrazidlo
Officer
Jeff Stark
Officer
Staff
This board is composed of mission-driven dreamers and thinkers who are committed to ensuring the vision of the Heritage Center stays true. Their dedication to the center's mission reflects a shared belief in the power of sports to inspire and uplift, making the board an essential force behind the success and impact of the center.
Jeff Stark
President and CEO
Troy Sager
Arena Manager
Deb Kohs
Finance and Human Relations
Marty Chesney
Building Operations
Our Collaborative Partners
We proudly highlight the valuable contributions of the Boys and Girls Club, Tim Cortes Art Studio, Vintage Sport Camps, and DAHA. All of which play a vital role in enriching our community and fostering creativity and growth within our facility.
